Chief Communications Officer

Are you a motivated, highly driven communicator looking to expand your experience of international affairs working in a fast-paced environment?

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington is looking for a dynamic, proactive person to join our high performing Communications Team as a Chief Communications Officer for Global Issues. This is a rewarding role at the forefront of the Embassy’s diplomatic efforts to develop the special relationship between the UK and the US, in order to make a real difference globally.

Play a critical role:

The job will allow you to grow your media and communications experience by leading on the communications approach within the Embassy for a varied portfolio of global policy issues including economics, tech, AI and trade policy. You will gain hands-on exposure to international relations, diplomacy and high-profile senior officials from the British government. The job holder will frequently work directly with the Ambassador and closely alongside visiting Cabinet secretaries and Prime Ministers – often coordinating with the US government - as you source and deliver media opportunities to promote British interests in America.

The successful candidate will work with a busy, motivated and experienced communications team, reporting to a Head of News, and will lead on the delivery of external media activity and communications for a portfolio of global issues. Typical tasks involve delivering creative and innovative communications plans and media engagements relating to your portfolio, including proactive campaigns and reactive press interventions, as well as supporting the Embassy’s wider public engagement and relationships with US media.

Be at the heart of international diplomacy:

As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), you will contribute to delivering the UK’s diplomatic work in the United States through our communications approach. In response to global challenges and opportunities for increased international cooperation, the Communications Team is looking to modernise perceptions of the UK, reach new audiences and deliver consistently high-quality communications activity in Washington and across the US. This includes promoting opportunities around shared values and ambitions, reinforcing the UK’s position as the US’ number one ally and a modern and dynamic partner of choice.

Ideal candidate:

The Embassy is looking for a dynamic self-starter who is: a highly motivated team player, an effective communicator with strong attention to detail, with an excellent working understanding of the US media landscape, who can demonstrate an interest in global issues, economics and trade.

The British Embassy offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Lead on delivery of communications plans for a portfolio of global issues, likely to include the economy, tech, AI and federal Trade Policy, and securing US media coverage of the UK-US partnership and UK policy progress in these areas
• Deliver media engagements for senior British government ministers and officials visiting the US
• Develop plans for innovative and creative proactive media interventions and campaigns, working with digital colleagues to include social media
• Produce first rate media products, including high quality press releases and reactive lines, and briefings for ministers and senior officials
• Handle reactive media queries relating to the role’s portfolio
• Build relationships with US media outlets and journalists – across print, broadcast and digital media
• Support the delivery of the Embassy’s public facing events and engagements
• Monitor US media coverage and trends to ensure solid understanding of media landscape relating to the role’s portfolio
• Support the Director of Communications and Head of News on a range of press team activity
• Provide occasional out of hours press support as required
• Take part in a rota to cover morning media monitoring summaries
• Make a contribution to the corporate life of BEW’s Communications team and wider Embassy
• Any other duties as assigned.

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with evidence of effective media handling skills – being able to land positive stories and challenge negative coverage
• Track record of demonstrating strong news judgement and political understanding, and ability to react quickly and confidently in developing situations
• Proven ability to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline in a fast-paced work environment
• Strong understanding of the US media market
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences across multiple channels
• Strong attention to detail even under pressure, concise writing skills and proven ability to edit and proofread
• Evidence of successfully building and maintaining relationships both internally and externally, with strong interpersonal skills

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: fluent

• Experience of working with/for a government organisation
• Policy knowledge of international issues – especially economic, tech or trade portfolios

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employees’ ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

This role is 40 hours a week.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff where viable to work from home a maximum of two times a week. We are an organisation that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office regularly. This is a hands-on role, and it is not well suited to fixed remote working patterns. It will also involve some need to work a few events a month in the evenings or occasionally on the weekend.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed